June 2019
Working toward a future where people and planet are valued, and our government represents all of us.
Out and Proud / Green and Proud
by GPPA Co-chair Alan Smith
Out and proud. Silence equals death. These slogans would emerge in the 1970s and 1980s drawing energy from what happened at the Stonewall Inn in New York City at the end of June 1969. Stonewall for many marks the beginning of open defiance en masse by the LGBTQ community. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this event. At the heart of the event was marginalized people deciding to no longer acquiesce and submit to exploitation and abuse. The police would raid establishments that were frequented and supported by members of the LGBTQ community as part of a repressive atmosphere during the 1950s and 60s during which people members of the LGBTQ community were outed and purged from institutions. "Law and order" officials were charged with enforcing a cultural belief that people who acted in particular ways were seen as deviant, that people who challenged cultural norms were seen as a security threats. Policing, harassing, and surveillance of those who "act out" was part of keeping the "social order" What must be remembered is that this social order is rooted in a system of exploitation and rigid hierarchy. When the laws and norms of a society are unjust and inhumane they must be challenged whether they are the Fugitive Slave Laws in the 1800s or laws today that restrict our ability to protest. The Green Party stands for the just treatment and respect of all and of this planet.
As a black gay man living in poverty with a white partner of almost 10 years, raising a queer Latinx teen for almost 5 years, I am indebted to those who came before that challenge unjust, abusive and exploitative norms. When I think about specific friends that have had an enormous impact on me I see a homeless black, trans man, a black trans woman, a white trans woman, a white nonbinary person, a black bisexual man, an interracial gay and lesbian couples, a white bisexual woman. some of these people having disabilities and mental health challenges. These people have taught me how to live differently, these people have aided me in ways too numerous to mention. The world has always been influenced by the work and thought of diverse people whether they made the history books or not. But diversity is not tokenism. Having a seat at the table in the boardroom of an institution that's exploiting and abusing people and planet is not salvation. Creating organizations and living in ways that don't exploit and abuse people and planet is the true liberation. As James Baldwin said, "I don't want to be integrating into a burning house." Rainbow capitalism is NOT queer liberation. We must remake the world into a place where the just treatment, and respect of people, and planet. Thus, I am an out and proud Green, despite animosity toward any political diversity, because our silence will equal the death of this planet.
GPPA News Highlights
edited by Chris Robinson
GPOP Members Endorse New Anti-Drone-War Effort, 5/23
Members of the Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) decide by consensus to endorse the Brandywine Peace Campaign appeal to Governor Tom Wolf to end all drone warfare operations in PA. Wolf is commander in chief of the PA Air National Guard, which trains drone-war pilots at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, and runs drone-war operations out of the Air National Guard Station, Horsham, PA. GPOP members met on 5/23 in Fishtown, Philadelphia. (show all)
GPPA Virtual Delegate Meeting on 5/19
On 5/19, 27 delegates using 19 terminals located in ten PA counties participated in the Spring GPPA meeting. The delegates heard reports from GPPA officers, Team leaders, and delegates to the GP U.S. Delegates voted to reduce the number of meeting from six to five/year. The next in-person delegates’ meeting will take place in Erie, on Sunday, September 15th. Minutes from the meeting are available. (show all)
“Why nuclear power bailout would be bad for Pennsylvania” 5/5 by Jay Sweeney
Nuclear power is neither renewable nor environmentally beneficial. The Green Party of Pennsylvania opposes HB 11 and SB 510 and encourages legislators to oppose these bills and constituents to call their representatives to voice opposition. (show all)
Short Clips
Rachel Rakovan is a GPPA Delegate from Allegheny County. She is also Mrs. Pennsylvania Earth USA 2019, which gives her a platform to actively espouse green issues through public broadcasts, YouTube and Facebook: “I am working the polls today for the Green Party of Allegheny County! We are seeking signatures just to allow our Party to be on the ballot in November. We need about 5,000 signatures. So if you see a Green Party member at the polls, be sure to sign the petition we are promoting. It’s all for the sake of a true democracy. Thank you!” Mrs. Pennsylvania Earth USA 2019. (show all)
Campaign Updates
edited by Chris Robinson
Jenny Isaacs, Green Wave Team leader, reports that “any Greens who ran write-in campaigns in the May primary, (win or lose), should be sure to report the results to Green Wave immediately! We pass this data on to the Green Party of the United States, and it is used to determine our representation at the national level.
Garret Wassermann reports that the Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC) is collecting signatures for the following candidates:
Garret Wassermann - County Controller;
Kelly Yagatich - At Large County Council (similar to county commissioner);
Richard Leonard Weiss - District Attorney;
Jay Ting Walker - County Treasurer; and
Edward J Grystar - County Executive
Olivia Faison, Green Party candidate for Philadelphia City Council, reports that her website is live, https://www.olivia4philly.org/, as is the @Olivia4Philly twitter page. She is working to confirm a facebook page. You may volunteer and contribute through her website.
Mike Farley has collected the required signatures to appear on the Adams County ballot for Latimore Township Supervisor and Auditor races.
Team Updates
Finance Team by Tim Runkle
During May the Finance Team successfully launched its phone banking program, completing outreach and fundraising phone calls within Delaware County. This pilot program is intended to connect registered Greens across the state with their county or regional chapters while also promoting our membership program. Calls made by our phone banking volunteers help to increase awareness of the party by putting Greens in touch with each other. As we grow the program we will build a well-established network of phone bankers ready for the next campaign. Each month our phone bankers will be targeting a new county for outreach. If you can help us make these important connections let us know by signing up HERE.
GreenWave Team by Jenny Isaacs
We just had a Green appointed as Inspector of Elections in Berks County (bringing Berks’ total to FOUR Green election officials, the most of any county). Across the state we currently have 18 officials in elected positions in 10 counties, plus one appointed Green who serves on the Luzerne County Planning Commission.
Green Wave held regular biweekly calls in March - May with an average attendance of 8 individuals from 6 counties. Three of the 6 local campaigns currently participating in Green Wave reported organized efforts to collect nomination signatures and campaign at the polls on Primary day (May 21). Candidates running for school board in Montgomery County and township supervisor/auditor in Adams County have already collected more than enough signatures to file. Olivia Faison's campaign for Philadelphia CIty Council will need a dedicated effort this summer as they still have about 4,000 signatures to go. Sign up here to volunteer.
We learned after the primary that a registered Green in Perry County won the ballot line for a major party on a write-in campaign for township supervisor; he will circulate petitions for the Green ballot line in the fall as well. This brings the total number of local campaigns confirmed this year to 7, a significant downturn from 2017. Greens interested in running for office are encouraged to join our calls (2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month) -- sign up HERE to receive call info or email for more information!
Looking ahead, we must begin recruiting soon for state legislative candidates in 2020. All county locals should be having conversations about whom they might nominate for State Representative. We have identified one candidate for statewide ("row") office and will need a 2nd. Our row office candidates in 2016, Kristin Combs & Jay Sweeney, earned more than 3% of the vote with very little effort or expense. THESE are the candidates who are likely to help us win back our minor political party status in 2020.
Communications Team by Chris Robinson
The GPPA Communication Team produces news releases, the GREEN STAR online newsletter, and Green Star LIVE video interviews. If you have an interest in publicity, or a talent for graphics or writing, please join us. The next Communication Team conference call will take place at 9:00 pm on 6/4. If you would like to join, please contact Chris at chrisrecon-at-netzero-dot-net for the phone number, visit our website at https://www.gpofpa.org/, or to join online, sign up HERE.
Core Report by Sheri Miller
Following the May Web Conference, GPPA teams and delegates moved to a new Slack work space, created by the Core Team to facilitate team building and communication. The Core Team leverages technology and innovation to provide a foundation and structure for all GPPA endeavors as our members work toward a just and sustainable future. If you are interested in helping, sign up HERE.
National Green News
edited by Dave Ochmanowicz
Green Party of the United States Statement - Venezuelan Embassy
”The Green Party platform states that "The U.S. must recognize the sovereignty of nation-states and their right of self-determination. The Green Party has called for a policy of non-intervention and for sanctions against Venezuela to be lifted.“ (show all)
While the Green Party won't be selecting our presidential nominee for a year and a half, the race for the 2020 Green Party presidential nomination has already begun. (show all)
Ranked Choice Voting in striking distance!
RCV opens up political choice at a time Americans are hungry for more of it. RCV lets you rank your choices instead of voting for just one candidate. If your first choice loses and there’s no majority winner, your vote is automatically re-assigned to your second choice. This makes it impossible to “split the vote” or “spoil the election” and ensures the winner has majority support. It also brings more voices and viewpoints into our elections, and makes ”lesser evil” voting obsolete. (show all)
Illinois Green Party opposes Illinois House Bill 1633 - Action Alert: Stop HB 1633!
H.B. 1633 is a fossil fuel industry bill designed to silence environmental activists and protect industry profits by threatening activists with steep fines, felony charges and lengthy jail sentences for exercising their freedom to protest deadly pollution and carbon emissions. In addition to the Illinois Green Party, over 50 organizations have signed and delivered the following letter to the Senate and Governor Pritzker condemning this ALEC legislation. (show all)
How to Run on the Green New Deal in 2020
Greens have set the standard to which the others now talking about a Green New Deal have to measure up against. Green candidates must be in that debate to fight against attempts to water down the program, especially against attempts to break the link between economic justice and climate action. Now that some Democrats are promoting a Green New Deal — the signature program of the Green Party for the last decade—how should Green Party candidates run on that program in 2020? (show all)
Mother's Day today is not what was intended by its founders. In 1870, Juliet Ward Howe wrote the "Mother's Day Proclamation," a call to action that asked mothers to unite in promoting world peace. President Trump's proposed budget has 62 cents of every dollar in taxes going to the military. (show all)
Global Green News
edited by Sheri Miller
21-year-old Danish student Kira Peter-Hansen becomes youngest MEP in history
21 years, 3 months and 3 days. That's how old university student Kira Marie Peter-Hansen was when she made history as the youngest person ever to be elected as a Member of the European Parliament. (show all)
The Green Party wave could spread across Canada
The biggest environmental politics story is the extraordinary results by the Green Party in the recent Canadian PEI election. (show all)
What the Green Party byelection win means for federal election
Paul Manly became the second Green candidate in history to be elected to a federal seat after winning the Nanaimo—Ladysmith (British Columbia) byelection May 6th. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the Green victory in the Nanaimo–Ladysmith byelection shows that the growing level of support for the party can actually translate into more seats in Parliament. (show all)
Federal election litmus test in Nanaimo-Ladysmith byelection reads Green
There was standing room only at last week’s all-candidates debate where Manly delivered a message that clearly resonated: “If you elect me, we are going to fire up this country and we are going to get some things done because they are going to notice that people in Nanaimo-Ladysmith care about climate change, you care about the next generation, you care about the future.” (show all)
GPPA Coming Events
edited by Chris Robinson
LOOK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT STATEWIDE AND LOCAL EVENTS.
(To submit a proposal for your county to organize an in-person state meeting or another local, state-sponsored event, fill out the Event Hosting Application Form.)
June 4, 6:00 pm
Green Party of Allegheny County General Assembly
Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA
June 6, 7:00 pm
Chester County Green Party Meeting
For location, please contact [email protected]
June 7, 14, 21, & 28, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Climate Change Awareness Rally
Every Friday at the Gettysburg Square (York Rd & Baltimore St.)
Bring your signs and join in to bring awareness to the climate crisis and the need to take action now.
June 8, 1:00 pm
21st Annual Philly Dyke March
Kahn Park, 1119 Pine Street, Philadelphia
https://www.facebook.com/events/363679007556919/
June 9
Lakawanna Green Party Bike Ride
Heritage Trail in Scranton.
More information from [email protected].
June 9, Noon
Philly Pride Presents Honoring Stonewall 50
252 South 12th Street, Philadelphia
https://www.facebook.com/events/291489281539070/
June 10, 6:45 pm
Lackawanna Green Party Meeting & Cleanup
Heritage Trail and Olive Street in Scranton.
More information from [email protected].
June 13th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Gettysburg Rising June Meeting: The Unaccompanied Minor Crisis
545 Long Lane, Gettysburg, PA 17325-2530
Come learn about the children who are still being separated from their families and living in shelters all over the US, including in areas near Gettysburg.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2229811573739124/
June 14, 6:30 pm
Delaware County Green Party Meeting
Swarthmore Borough Hall, 1st Floor Council Room, 121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, PA
More information from jbowserb-at-yahoo-dot-com
June 17, 7:00 pm
Montgomery County Green Party Meeting
501 South Easton Road, Wyncote, PA-
More information from [email protected].
June 17, 7:00 pm
SAVE Bucks Votes
Endorsed by the Green Party of Bucks County
Doylestown Friends Meeting, 95 East Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA
June 19, 5:00 pm
Juneteenth BBQ: A Celebration of African American Independence
Reservoir Park, 199 City Park Drive, Harrisburg
https://www.facebook.com/events/2141236602778117/
June 22, noon
Juneteenth Philadelphia Parade
Begins at 52nd and Jefferson Streets, West Philadelphia.-
http://juneteenthphilly.org/schedule/
June 22, 3:00 pm -
Juneteenth Philadelphia Music Festival
Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine Streets, West Philadelphia
http://juneteenthphilly.org/schedule/
June 23, 4:00 pm
Erie County Green Party Meeting
Whole Foods Co-op Cafe, 1341 West 26th Street, Erie, PA
June 24, 7:00 pm-
Bucks County Green Party
Guru’s Indian, 12 Cambridge Lane, Newtown, PA
More information from [email protected].
June 26, 7:00 pm
How the 1% Manipulate Our Understanding
ook Talk by Roy Eidelson sponsored by Divest from the War Machine
Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South Street, Philadelphia
https://www.facebook.com/events/331487917566129/
June 29, noon
Protest at Drone War Command
Brandywine Peace Community with Bucks County Green Party,
Montgomery County Green Party, Green Party of Philadelphia, [email protected]
Air Guard Station, Easton Road (#611) at County Line Road, Horsham, PA
http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2019:
- Summer Virtual Meeting/Web Conference: Sunday, July 14th
- Fall Meeting (Erie, PA): Sunday, September 15th
- November Virtual Meeting: Sunday, November 17th, 12pm-4pm
Web Conferences are online - RSVP to get connection information. The locations for in-person conferences are to be determined. In-person conferences can be hosted by counties, county groups or regions. These events are fundraisers. When hosted locally, the host group receives back half of the revenue after expenses. To apply for hosting, submit your info to our Application for Local Hosting of GPPA State Meetings or GPPA-Sponsored Events. We strive for geographic diversity in reviewing applications, however, all submissions are considered.
Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team & Media Committee
Issue Credits:
EDITORS: Chris Robinson, Dave Ochmanowicz Jr., & Sheri Miller
CONTRIBUTORS: Tim Runkle, Jenny Isaacs, Sheri Miller, Chris Robinson, & Jay Sweeney
LAYOUT: Sheri Miller & Kevin Richardson
GRAPHIC ARTS: Kevin Richardson
Everything we do is based on our Four Pillars and Ten Key Values. If you find that you share these ideals, come and join the movement.
You can support the Green Party in many ways; however, a monthly sustaining donation helps to fund a solid infrastructure to help local chapters coordinate candidates and provide resources to make their campaigns successful. As little as $3 per month can have a significant impact!
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Join us and help bring about a future where people and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider joining an action team. Work with other committed progressives and activists in activities such as planning events, developing media content, or helping with campaigns. Let's join together to make 2019 the year of progressives!
The Green Star is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2019
